A pyroptosis proportion tunable nano-modulator for cancer immunotherapy

Rationale: Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death mediated by gasdermin proteins, holds significant potential in cancer immunotherapy. However, precise control of pyroptosis in cancer cells is essential to avoid biosafety concerns. This study aimed to develop a tumor-targeted and tunable pyroptosis-inducing strategy to enhance antitumor efficacy while minimizing systemic side effects. Methods: An innovative H₂S-activated nanomodulator equipped with an optical switch was designed for tumor-specific and adjustable pyroptosis induction. The nanomodulator was activated by H₂S in the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer and further regulated by laser irradiation. Gasdermin-E-mediated pyroptosis was triggered through the synergistic effects of photothermal temperature modulation and demethylation. The proportion of cells undergoing pyroptosis was precisely controlled within a tunable range. Results: The nanomodulator successfully induced pyroptosis in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer cells within a tunable range of 0-31%. This precise regulation significantly enhanced antitumor efficacy while minimizing systemic side effects. The combination of photothermal modulation and demethylation ensured effective and safe pyroptosis induction. Conclusions: This study presents a novel and precise method for controlling pyroptosis using photothermal temperature modulation. The findings provide essential guidance for in vivo applications and offer valuable insights into the development of nanomedicines capable of safely and effectively inducing adjustable proportion of pyroptosis in cancer therapy.